EDC of Lancaster County

With tax abatement incentives, the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) initiative is designed to revive economically distressed urban and rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. 

KOZs are defined parcel-specific areas with greatly reduced or no tax burden for property owners, residents and businesses.  They are designated by local communities and approved by the Commonwealth.

Since the KOZ program's inception in 1999, tens of thousands of new jobs have been created and retained in PA with millions of dollars invested in real estate as capital improvements. Because of the tremendous success of the KOZ initiative, additional zones were added in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

For more information about the program, view the KOZ Program Guidelines (PDF) or point your browser to the the Pennsylvania KOZ website.

The 2011 KOZ Application and Tools are now available on the Pennsylvania KOZ website. Only ONLINE applications are accepted. For assistance or questions, call the EDC office at 717-397-4046.

Lancaster County is home to four KOZs in the following communities:

Columbia Borough Ephrata Borough Lancaster City Manheim Borough

The Greentree Business Center's KOZ designation has helped to stimulate redevelopment and revitalization of this 66-acre brownfield site in Manheim Borough, Lancaster County, PA.  Upon completion of demolition and environmental remediation activities, the 307,000 sq. ft. business center is expected to create more than 500 jobs in the manufacturing, service and commercial business sectors.